Russia to strip contract soldiers of one-off payment if laws violated at home

Amid a surge in domestic violence cases among Russia's contract soldiers fighting in Ukraine, the country's defence ministry plans to recoup a portion of their one-off payment if they commit criminal offences back home, according to a draft law published on Monday. This move comes as Russia seeks to improve the behavior of its military personnel and increase their motivation to follow the law.

The one-off payment of 400,000 roubles (approximately $4,640) has been provided to soldiers signing at least one-year contracts to participate in the ongoing war, dubbed by Moscow as a "special military operation." Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the one-off payouts have been substantial and can reach several million roubles per soldier, depending on the region, in addition to a monthly salary.

In an effort to bolster army numbers, Russia has also been reducing prison sentences for those serving time in exchange for joining the war effort. However, the rising incidents of domestic violence following soldiers' return home for leave have prompted the defence ministry to take stricter measures. If active contract service members are found guilty of criminal offences that do not result in a prison sentence, they will now be required to reimburse a portion of their one-off payment based on the remaining months of their service.